Game 1 of the semifinal series between the Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun was just as physical and low-scoring as anyone expected. The Sun thrive in such situations and were able to hold on down the stretch for a 73-70 win and a 1-0 series lead.

The old cliché “it’s a game of runs” was never more true than in the first half of this one. There was a 9-0 burst from the Sun, a 15-0 surge from the Lynx and a 13-3 response from the Sun. The end result of all those wild swings was a four-point lead for the road team.

After the break it was the exact opposite. Neither team could sustain any kind of offense, and either team’s largest lead was five points. That was the Lynx’s advantage late in the third quarter, after Courtney Williams hit a huge 3-pointer just before the buzzer.

However, the Lynx were unable to carry that momentum into the fourth, essentially gaining just eight points in the final frame. The Sun weren’t great in attack either, but they were better than that. Alyssa Thomas, not known for her goals, hit a push-shot jumper from the free throw line with 12 seconds left, extending the Sun’s lead to three. That turned out to be enough, as the Lynx’s eventual ownership was a disaster.

Thomas nearly recorded another triple-double, but had to settle for 17 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while Marina Mabrey added six 3-pointers and 20 points. Although she had a tough shooting night, DeWanna Bonner made some big plays, adding 10 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Napheesa Collier led the Lynx in defeat with 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. As a team, the Lynx, who led the league in three-point shooting during the regular season, made just five of their 20 attempts from behind the arc.